Robin Kermode reads this beautiful short story for children and adults by Oscar Wilde. 

It is the story of the Happy Prince. When he was alive he lived in the Palace of Sans Souci and did not know about human suffering. But now he has died, his statue is placed on a column, high above the city, where he can see the suffering of the poor. He develops a deep friendship with a little swallow, who flies around the city doing good deeds for the Happy Prince. 

It was first published in 1888 in the anthology 'The Happy Prince and Other Tales' which, in addition to its title story, also includes 'The Star Child', 'The Devoted Friend' and 'The Selfish Giant'.